Florida will look to carry over its offensive success on Thursday evening in Tuscaloosa. The Gators are currently shooting 48.2 percent from the field, putting them in the NCAA's top 20.
Tuscaloosa, Ala. - Florida heads to Tuscaloosa to begin SEC competition against No. 19 Alabama. The matchup is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 2, with a 7 p.m. start inside Coleman Coliseum, and will be broadcast on SECN+.
The Gators enter the game riding a two-win streak and carry a 9–5 record from non-conference play. Alabama closed out 2024 at 13–1. Both programs look to secure a victory and open league play at 1–0.
No. 19 Alabama (13-1, 0-0 SEC)
- Date: Thurs., Jan. 2
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Site: Coleman Coliseum
- Stream: SECN+
- Radio: ESPN Gainesville 98.1 FM / 850 AM
- Stats: StatBroadcast
- Tickets
A Florida Victory Would
- Deliver UF’s first triumph over a ranked opponent since Feb. 6, 2022
- Mark the program’s first SEC-opening win since 2014
- Add Florida’s 31st all-time victory against Alabama
- Secure Coach Kelly Rae Finley’s 66th career win at the helm of the Gators
- Extend Florida’s current winning streak to three games
- Improve the team’s road record to 2–1 for the 2024–25 season
Tale Of the Tape
| 81.1 | PPG | 84.5 |
|---|---|---|
| 63.7 | OPP PPG | 56.1 |
| 17.4 | SCORING MARGIN | 28.4 |
| 48.2 | FG % | 47.5 |
| 35.9 | OPP FG% | 34.5 |
| 30 | 3 FG% | 37.9 |
| 72.4 | FT % | 67.9 |
| 42.9 | REBOUNDS PG | 42.5 |
| 15.4 | ASSISTS PG | 16.8 |
| 15.9 | TURNOVERS PG | 14.4 |
| 9 | STEALS PG | 10.4 |
| 4.4 | BLOCKS PG | 4.9 |
The Series
Alabama holds a slight edge in the all-time matchup with Florida, leading 32–30.
Gators vs. Alabama History
The Gators and Crimson Tide share a long SEC rivalry, having met 62 times since their first contest in 1976. Their latest meeting came on Feb. 29, 2024, when Alabama edged Florida by a single possession, 76–73. Over the last 10 matchups, the record stands even at 5–5.
Florida now heads back to Coleman Coliseum for the second time in under a year, aiming to begin conference play with their first victory over Alabama since 2023.
Projected Florida Starters
| Florida | No. | Height | Position | Class | Hometown/Previous School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexia Dzeko | 9 | 11-May | F | Sr. | Sion, Switzerland |
| Laila Reynolds | 13 | 1-Jun | G | So. | PG County, MD |
| Jeriah Warren | 20 | Jun-00 | G | Sr. | Lake Charles, LA |
| Liv McGill | 23 | 9-May | G | Fr. | Minneapolis, MN |
| Ra Shaya Kyle | 24 | 6-Jun | C | Sr. | Marion, Ind. / Purdue |
Florida’s Previous Game
Florida wrapped up non-conference play with a dominant 88–31 home win over Alabama State on Dec. 29. Four Gators finished in double figures, showcasing a balanced team effort. Ra Shaya Kyle led across the stat sheet with 16 points and 11 rebounds, earning her eighth double-double of the season. Liv McGill followed with 15 points, while also matching her career high with nine assists and adding seven steals to help Florida reach a season-best total of 20.
Gator Quick Notes
- Florida ranks No. 5 in the SEC and No. 20 nationally in field goal percentage (48.2).
- Four players average double-digit scoring: Liv McGill (16.1), Ra Shaya Kyle (16.0), Jeriah Warren (13.3), and Laila Reynolds (10.4).
- McGill (No. 12) and Kyle (No. 15) both sit among the SEC’s top 20 scorers.
- McGill leads all NCAA freshmen in total assists (74) and assists per game (5.3).
- The Gators have scored 20+ points in 33 of 56 quarters this season.
- Kyle has eight double-doubles in 14 games, ranking No. 8 nationally.
- Kyle is third in the SEC and sixth in the NCAA in field goal percentage (65.9).
- Kyle also ranks fourth in the SEC with 9.9 rebounds per game.
- Alexia Gassett leads the team in blocks with 12 this season.
PROJECTED ALABAMA STARTERS:
| Alabama | No. | Height | Position | Class | Hometown/Previous School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zaay Green | 14 | 6-2 | G | Gr. | Duncanville, Tex. |
| Sarah Ashlee Barker | 3 | 5-10 | G | Gr. | Birmingham, Ala. |
| Aaliyah Nye | 32 | 6-0 | G/F | Gr. | East Lansin, Mich. |
| Karly Weathers | 22 | 5-11 | G | Jr. | Loretto, Tenn. |
| Essence Cody | 21 | 6-4 | F | So. | Valdosta, Ga. |
Alabama Quick Notes
- Alabama ranks 28th nationally in blocks per game, averaging 4.9.
- The Crimson Tide enter the matchup riding a four-game winning streak.
- At Coleman Coliseum, Alabama is unbeaten this season with a 7–0 record.
- In 13 of their 14 contests during 2024, Alabama held the advantage at halftime.
- Four starters score in double figures: Barker (16.1), Green (15.6), Cody (11.4), and Nye (14.9).
- Offensively, Alabama sits at No. 15 in the country, averaging 84.5 points per game.
- Cody leads the team in rebounding with 6.7 per game.
- Nye ranks third nationally and first in the SEC in three-pointers per game (3.71).
- Barker is 10th in the SEC in total points, recording 225 during non-conference play.
